Curriculum Themes The BRT curriculum is designed around five content themes. Differentiation of these themes in development of the curriculum content helps ensure learners will build on content as they progress throughout the program. The content of each theme reflects skills, attitudes and/or knowledge, and may be developed by using a number of educational methods. The following is a description of each of the curriculum themes. Professional Practice Stream This stream facilitates the student s development as a professional in the discipline of Respiratory Therapy. They will learn the foundations, processes, and standards of practice, the theoretical and philosophical concepts that guide safe practice, and the societal context of the profession. This theme will also provide students the opportunity to study how these concepts can be practically applied to address the respiratory health issues of individuals and groups. Basic Clinical Sciences Stream This stream introduces those scientific concepts which underpin the academic discipline and the clinical practice of Respiratory Therapy. The student will learn the applied scientific principles of the human body in health and disease, of pharmacologic intervention, and of diagnostic methodologies. Mechanical Ventilation Stream This stream develops understanding of the therapeutic application of mechanical ventilation. It enables the development of the technical knowledge and the practical skills to effectively manage mechanical ventilation at various states of respiratory compromise and disability. The stream will also address the practical and theoretical models that underpin the delivery of respiratory support with assisted devices in a variety of contexts. Therapeutics Stream This stream introduces the methods used in Respiratory Therapy when treating clients. It develops the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the delivery of respiratory care therapeutics and management of the relevant clinical technologies. It also provides opportunity for students to develop skill in applying therapeutics in a classroom and laboratory setting. Integrated Studies Stream This stream provides the student the opportunity to integrate all knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in all other curriculum streams. The coursework will primarily be delivered experientially through clinical education and clinical scenario based simulated learning experiences.
Cross-cutting principles: The BRT curriculum encompasses several elements which cross all of the five core themes. These elements are acknowledged within individual course objectives. They ensure that each curriculum theme is addressed from the perspective of the prevailing model of care in the discipline (or alternative model where appropriate), the individuals and populations it serves, and the venues in which practice may occur. These principles include: Delivery of care using a client centered model; Delivery of care to a highly diverse group of individuals and populations, inclusive of all age groups, cultures, etc.; Delivery of care within a diverse array of practice settings and/or environments.
Course Competencies The BRT curriculum has been designed to meet the discipline specific entry -to-practice requirements as described by the National Competency Framework (NCF) 1 for Respiratory Therapy in Canada, as well as a variety of program specific requirements. Each course is designed to ensure students learn specified course competencies, each of which is conceptually aligned with the curriculum stream in which the course is situated. These competencies collectively form the program s curriculum map, which details the lockstep manner in which they are developed throughout the program. Courses and course objectives are aligned within streams, and sequenced in a lockstep manner. Thus each course is foundational for subsequent courses within streams. Individual course objectives described in each course syllabus are systematically designed to achieve the program goals. Course competencies describe the specific skills, knowledge and attitudes that learners will attain in each course. The BRT curriculum encompasses a broad range of competencies including the knowledge which is foundational to the discipline (this has in part been developed in consideration of the CSRT National Curriculum Guide), those which are professional entry-to-practice in nature and other which address those BRT program goals beyond current entry- topractice standards. Those which extend beyond mandated entry-to-practice standards support the development of enhanced student proficiency in important areas such as information literacy and evidence informed practice, patient safety 3, and collaborative interprofessional practice 4. Within the course syllabuses, each course competency has been designated a specific learning and performance level at which it will be taught and evaluated (see the Course Syllabus Guide section of this document for further detail). This is intended to ensure the sequential structure of the curriculum facilitates optimal learner progress. (1) The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, 2016 NCF Companion Document. csrt.com/en/education/pdf/companiondocument-ncp.pdf (2) The National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies, 2011Respiratory Therapy National Competency Framework. nartrb.ca/eng/resources.php (3) The Canadian Patient Safety Institute, The Safety Competencies. patientsafetyinstitute.ca/english/toolsresources/safetycompetencies/pages/default.aspx (4) The University of Manitoba. Interprofessional Education Initiative: Aligning Interprofessional Educational Outcomes with Exis ting Course Learning Objectives. (2013)
Respiratory Therapy Course Description Year 1 ANAT 1030 Human Anatomy - To present the essentials of the organization and structure of the human body. Surface, functional and applied anatom y will be taken into consideration. 3.0 Credit hours RESP 1400 Introduction to Professional Practice: This course provides an introduction to the profession of Respiratory Therapy and the roles and responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist as a member of the health care team. Emphasis is placed on professional conduct, communication and decision-making around issues affecting client-centered care. The course also introduces the safety aspects of delivering respiratory therapy according to the Canadian Standards Association, as well as workplace health and safety. This course is restricted to students in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program. 3.0 Credit hours RESP 1410 Health Systems and Respiratory Care in Canada: Building on RESP 1400, Introduction to Professional Practice, this course further explores the role of the Respiratory Therapist as a regulated health care professional in Canada and the function of regulatory and professional advocacy organizations. Students will learn concepts of patient safety and quality and how human, material, and financial resource management is accomplished in the Canadian health care system. Emphasis is placed on the integration of professional practice knowledge, skills and attitudes. This course is restricted to students in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapy program. 3.0 Credit hours RESP 1420 Applied Physiology for Respiratory Therapy: The course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the function and regulation of the systems and major organs of the human body as they relate to clinical respiratory sciences. This course is restricted to students registered in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program. 6.0 Credit hours RESP 1430 Respiratory Therapeutics 1: A lecture and laboratory course which introduces basic therapeutic concepts, technologies and techniques employed in respiratory therapy including medical gases, humidity and aerosol therapy, and bronchopulmonary hygiene. It introduces the principles of gas physics, and the physical and chemical properties of medical gases used in respiratory care. This course is restricted to students registered in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program. 6.0 Credit hours RESP 1440 Pharmacology: This course will introduce the principles of pharmacology, those factors modifying drug effects, and individual pharmacologic agents including: ANS drugs, CNC drugs, cardiovascular medications, respiratory medications, antibiotics, and other drugs relevant to Respiratory Therapy. This course is restricted to students registered in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program. 3.0 Credit hours RESP 1450 Principles of Mechanical Ventilation: The course will focus on the fundamental physical and physiologic principles involved with mechanical ventilation under normal and abnormal respiratory conditions. Various forms and application strategies of positive pressure ventilation will be introduced and explained as to their effects on the physiological systems. This course is restricted to students registered in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program. 6.0 Credit hours RESP 1460 Basic Fieldwork 1: This course is comprised of 160 hours of clinical fieldwork experiences in respiratory therapy, provided under the supervision of registered respiratory therapists at one or more approved clinical sites. This course is restricted to students registered in year one of the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Respiratory Therapy program.
Respiratory Therapy Course Description Year 2 REHB 2450 Research Methodology for Medical Rehabilitation (3) A theory and practical course designed to provide a basic understanding of research principles and their application in Medical Rehabilitation. RESP 2200 Primary Care in Respiratory Therapy (3) This course provides an understanding of primary care in Respiratory Therapy practice as a method of supporting individuals and populations with respiratory disease. Students will learn the principles of health promotion and disease prevention, as well as chronic disease management and self-management strategies. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2210 Pathophysiology (6) This course will introduce the pathogenesis of primary diseases of the cardiorespiratory, peripheral vascular, central and peripheral nervous systems. Specific disorders of the renal, metabolic, and immune systems, as well as infectious diseases with particular relevance to respiratory therapy will be introduced. The course will also introduce the differential diagnosis and current strategies employed in the management of these diseases. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2220 Physical Examination and Health Assessment (3) This course focuses on the development of the patient/client history and physical examination skills essential to health assessment. Students will apply the findings of health assessments in the determination of differential diagnoses and in the development of respiratory care plans. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2230 Respiratory Therapeutics II (6) This lecture and laboratory based course introduces advanced respiratory therapeutics including airway management, anaesthesia, invasive hemodynamic techniques, blood sample procurement and analysis, and others commonly employed in respiratory therapy. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2240 Clinical Mechanical Ventilation (3) This course will discuss the initiation and management of all types of mechanical ventilation, both conventional and advanced, with intra and inter-facility patient transport. Interpretation of detailed pulmonary mechanics will be discussed to allow for assessment of ventilated patients. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2250 Ventilator Instrumentation (3) This is a comprehensive course in the function, operation, and application of specified neonatal, pediatric and adult ventilators. Illustration of the necessary skills to set up, monitor and troubleshoot the ventilator will be examined in the classroom as well as in simulated patient case scenarios. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program.
RESP 2260 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics (3) This course will introduce the principles of cardiac and pulmonary function diagnostics including: static and dynamic measures, determination of volumes and capacities, exercise physiology. Cardiopulmonary function changes relative to common diseases and abnormal physiologic states will be evaluated. This course is restricted to students registered in year two of the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program who have completed all of the required courses for year one of the program. RESP 2380 Basic Fieldwork II (4) Building on RESP 1460 (Basic Fieldwork1) and RESP 2390 (Clinical Integration and Simulation), these courses are comprised of fieldwork experiences which provide the student the opportunity to apply the integrated concepts learned in the first two years of the Respiratory Therapy program in a clinical setting. This course will prepare students for advanced clinical education coursework. RESP 2390 Clinical Integration and Simulation (6) this course provides the student an opportunity to integrate concepts learned in the first two years of the Respiratory Therapy program, and to learn life support protocols prior to participation in advanced clinical education coursework. The course will be delivered through a variety of formats including classroom, seminar, and clinical simulation. Respiratory Therapy Course Description Year 3 RESP 3320 Clinical Education in Paediatric Respiratory Care (3) Three weeks of clinical experience in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children s Hospital. Shift-work and extended shifts may be required. 120 hours RESP 3350 Clinical Education in Pulmonary Diagnostics (3) Three weeks of clinical experience in the pulmonary diagnostic laboratory of an approved clinical site. 120 hours RESP 3360 Clinical Education in Anaesthesia (3) Three weeks of clinical experience designed to acquaint the student with actual clinical techniques and procedures used in the operating and recovery room. 120 hours RESP 3370 Clinical Education in Community Care (4) Four weeks of clinical experience in community care settings including: pre-hospital care, health and wellness promotion, inter-facility transport, chronic care, home care and community outreach. 160 hours RESP 3410 Clinical Education in Critical Care (7) Seven weeks in adult critical care units. Five weeks will be at the Health Sciences Centre (General Centre), and two weeks at the St. Boniface General Hospital. 280 hours RESP 3420 Clinical Education in Neonatal Care (4) Four weeks in the neonatal intensive care units located at the Children s Hospital (Health Sciences Centre) and/or at the St. Boniface General Hospital, and one week (40 hours) at the Women s Hospital (Health Sciences Centre). 200 hours RESP 3430 Clinical Education in General Therapeutics (6) Six weeks in the general hospital ward setting (noncritical care). Opportunity for fieldwork experience will be coordinated from amongst the participating fieldwork sites. 240 hours RESP 3440 Current Topics in Respiratory Therapy Focuses on current issues and topics in health and healthcare, in particular as they relate to respiratory therapy. Students complete a thorough review of the current evidence for practice and ongoing research relating to a topic of interest, and present their findings in a professional forum. Six credit hours